Evaluation of parentage testing in the Turkish Holstein population based on 12 microsatellite loci

Abstract In the present study, 12 microsatellite loci (ETH10, ETH225, ETH03, TGLA122, TGLA227, BM1824, BM2113, INRA23, SPS115, TGLA126, RM006 and BM1818) were evaluated for their possible use to confirm selected pedigree relationships between 7 bulls, their 21 male offspring, and their 64 second-generation female offspring within the progeny test started in Turkey. The nine loci (BM1824, INRA23, BM2113, SPS115, ETH10, TGLA122, ETH225, TGLA126 and TGLA227) recommended by ISAG displayed high values for the measures of informativeness (allele numbers, heterozygosity, polymorphic information content, frequency of the most common allele, and power of discrimination). When both parents are known calculated combined probability of exclusion was at least 0.999. Range of probability of paternity (POP) values were 0.814–0.9999. Except 3 cases (4.7%), the alleged paternity relationships were confirmed. To have a higher confidence in POP values new loci must be integrated into the set of 9 loci used.